There are Many Ideas with Nature Sketchbook!
Spring is such a gorgeous reminder of the beauty of nature! The birds build their nests, the flowers bloom, and the crafting mojo returns after a long winter! Today, Kathy Clement and Katelyn Grosart give great inspiration for that crafting mojo. These are such fabulous ideas for National Craft Month! See a beautiful brooch and gift box from Kathy below:
"If you are like me, you love Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Staples. We all know how much great texture and dimension they add to a layout, card or mixed media project. But have you ever thought of using them to create jewelry? With Nature’s Sketchbook papers, chipboard and flowers, a little imagination and some clever paper crafting techniques, I created a lovely brooch that can be used to accessorize scarves, hats and clothing." ~Kathy
Tips
NOTE: Melted UTEE is extremely hot and will burn skin if safety precautions are not used. Never touch it when melted and be sure to use tweezers when dipping and removing items into UTEE. Keep the hot pot away from children and pets.
- Mist Nature Sketchbook flowers lightly with water before shaping. This will break down the starch in the paper and make them easier to shape. It will also cause them to hold their shape once they are dry. Use this same technique to shape the butterfly wings.
- Let the flowers/butterflies dry completely before dipping into the UTEE.
- I melted UTEE in a Melt Pot then dipped each flower layer in it. Use tweezers so you don’t burn your fingers. Let the excess UTEE drip into the melt pot, then set the layers on a non-stick craft sheet to cool. Use hot glue to glue the layers together.
- Decorative Chipboard makes a great base for your brooch. Dip it in UTEE to strengthen it. Attach pin bale to the back with Glossy Accents. I also used Glossy Accents to secure the door plate to the front of the chipboard. You can hold it in place with binder clips until the glue sets.
- Paint metal staples with a base coat of white paint then tap with alcohol inks to alter their appearance.
- Fill flower centers with the door knob, seed beads or items from your jewelry box.
- Cover a Staples Matchbox with coordinating papers for gift presentation. To keep the brooch from sliding around inside the box, pin it to a die cut piece of felt.
Supply List
Nature Sketchbook Flowers
Nature Sketchbook Decorative Chipboard
Nature Sketchbook 12x12 Papers
Monarch Majesty
Seasonal Splendor
Nature Sketchbook 8x8 papers
Every Blooming Thing
Monarch Majesty
Nature Sketchbook 12x12 Patterns & Solids
Staples Shabby Chic Metal Ornate Door Plate & Knob
Staples Metal Ornate Keys
Staples Kraftboard Altered Art Matchbook Box (retired)
Other Supplies
Non-Stick Craft Sheet
UTEE Melt Pot
Ultra Thick Embossing Powder (UTEE)
Tweezers
Feathers, metal charms
Noble Peacock Seam binding
Silver Metallic string
Flower Shaping Tools
Eucalyptus Leaves
Paint, Alcohol Inks
Glossy Accents
Seed beads
Tweezers
Pin Bale (available at any craft store)
Katelyn shakes off the frost of winter with some gorgeous Nature Sketchbook cards that are perfect for any occasion!
"I’m ready for winter to be over and spring to arrive, so I pulled out the fabulous Nature Sketchbook collection to create a beautiful set of Just Because cards. I love to create card sets with no specific themes so in case I need a card set in a hurry I have one or two ready to be gifted to that special someone." ~Katelyn
Tip: Sometimes I don’t want to cut into entire pieces of patterned paper, so I fussy cut the images from the Ephemera cards to add embellishments to my cards.
Tip: To finish the keyhole, add brads to the top and bottom holes.
Supply List
12x12 Nature Sketchbook: Mother Earth, Every Blooming Thing, Seasonal Splendor, Planet Kingdom, Wildflower Bouquet and Harmonious Honeybees
Nature Sketchbook Ephemera
Nature Sketchbook Decorative Chipboard
Nature Sketchbook Flowers
Staples: Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads and Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Key Holes
Hug a Bug Seam Binding Ribbon: Black
Dark Green Cardstock
Sookwang Tape
Glue Dots
Edge Distressor
Paper Trimmer
Thin 3D Foam Squares
3D Foam Squares
Black Soot Distress Ink/ Blending Tool
This week we are giving away a prize pack full of Nature Sketchbook and some really great Tag Staples! This prize pack is worth $40! Who wants to win? Just comment here on the blog or on our Facebook page to take part! Make sure to enter today!
Have you been creation for National Craft Month? Share your work on our Facebook page! We cannot wait to see it (and there will be contests all month to win for sharing! So make sure to join us!)
Your Pals in Paper,
The G45 Family
Want to try these projects out? Visit your LSS or order online today! Graphic 45 Store Locator Link Here
Loving this theme! Ideas abound!
Posted by: Michelle Minken | March 14, 2017 at 02:49 PM
Love nature, especially the butterflies!
Posted by: Johana Gonzalez | March 14, 2017 at 03:38 PM
Beautiful.....
Posted by: Laurie | March 14, 2017 at 04:12 PM
Beautiful, unique creations. I'd love to get my hands on some of this paper series.
Posted by: Patty Blank | March 14, 2017 at 04:36 PM
Love this collection! Graphic 45 is coming out with some amazing collections this spring!!! I'm very excited!
Posted by: Brittany | March 14, 2017 at 04:56 PM
Beautiful projects!
Posted by: Rae Hines | March 14, 2017 at 05:20 PM
Please! I want to win!!
Posted by: Nancy Hodges | March 14, 2017 at 06:04 PM
My all time favorite. A beautiful collection. Thanks for a chance to win.
Posted by: Margaret McGlaun | March 14, 2017 at 06:19 PM
Love it. Using it as I type.
Posted by: Kelly Brandt | March 14, 2017 at 06:42 PM
I wanna win!!!!
Posted by: Linda Ecker | March 14, 2017 at 07:15 PM
Thank you for the chance to win this fabulous prize! Gorgeous!
Posted by: Lisa Costa | March 14, 2017 at 07:29 PM
Oh my goodness, this is such a beautiful collection! Pick Me :) Thanks for continuing to produce gorgeous papers and killer extras, G45.
Posted by: Kim Street | March 14, 2017 at 07:54 PM
super amazing projects!!
Posted by: Amante del Papel | March 14, 2017 at 09:00 PM
Love Nature's Sketchbook (just as I do all the beautiful Graphic 45 designs)! Thanks for the gorgeous projects you post. It would be a delight to win this prize package!
Posted by: Ann | March 14, 2017 at 10:34 PM
I am in love with Nature's sketchbook!!! Everything I have seen created with this collection is superb!! I would be overjoyed to win this collection!
Posted by: Karen Rice | March 14, 2017 at 10:44 PM
I just love Nature's Sketchbook and these gorgeous projects by the DT. My favorite is the nature themed brooch, wow!
Posted by: shartl | March 15, 2017 at 12:00 AM
So creative using Nature Sketchbook collection! Very inspiring! Love the designs in that collection!
Posted by: Gerri McCullough | March 15, 2017 at 12:29 AM
I love Nature Sketchbook and I would love to win it!
Posted by: Anna Koczela | March 15, 2017 at 02:24 AM
Love this set! Thank you for the chance to win it. It is so beautiful!
Posted by: Wendy Maynard | March 15, 2017 at 03:00 AM
Wow...that is just beautiful. My sister loves butterflies, and now, so do I. I always put these tiny butterflies, punched out by hand, my hand...lol, somewhere on my projects. That would be awesome to win.
Posted by: ELSIE MATOS | March 15, 2017 at 04:41 AM
Stunning!!!
Posted by: Tanis Buckton | March 15, 2017 at 06:54 AM
I love being in nature and this collection artistically expresses nature's beauty.
Posted by: Jane Buirgy | March 15, 2017 at 07:45 AM
You guys are awesome! Such amazing paper and beautiful projects! Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Melissa | March 15, 2017 at 09:34 AM
Wow, love the beautiful cards, Katelyn! Beautiful and creative to make a brooch too! Your work is inspiring!
Posted by: Sandy C. | March 15, 2017 at 09:44 AM
AAAAAMAZING INSPIRATION!!!
I love these projects that Kathy and Katelyn created and they are so different from each other using the same collection. I am so inspired by the artistic abilities of the Graphic 45 Design Team. I Love Love Love this Nature Sketchbook Collection!
Posted by: Diane Shull | March 15, 2017 at 07:24 PM
Beautiful paper. It would be wonderful to win such a prize.
Posted by: Amanda Townsend | March 15, 2017 at 08:15 PM
Beautiful brooch and love all the great tips! Gorgeous cards! This is one of my favorite collections!
Posted by: Jackie P | March 15, 2017 at 08:30 PM
This nature collection is beautiful, the more I see it, I LOVE it. Would be lovely to win a second set.
Posted by: Linda Buyck | March 16, 2017 at 01:30 AM
This is such a beautiful collection! Nature at it's finest!!
Posted by: Katie Sterry | March 16, 2017 at 11:21 AM
I love this works with nature collection. Would love to win this package, it's fantastic. Got my fingers crossed.
Thanks G45 for the giveaway.
Regards from Barcelona
Glòria
Posted by: Gloria | March 16, 2017 at 11:29 AM
Beautiful simply beautiful.
Posted by: Barbara Patrick | March 16, 2017 at 11:41 PM
These cards are beautiful as are all your papers. Hard to choose which I like best.
Posted by: Nikki Smith | March 17, 2017 at 05:33 AM
Such wondrous projects! I am always amazed at the new creations evolving from these beautiful designs! Wow!
Posted by: Jan Isaacs-Wade | March 18, 2017 at 06:25 AM
This seems to be a best seller, I can't find it anywhere, sure want to win it. Thanks, Nancy.
Posted by: Nancy Aubrey | March 18, 2017 at 10:38 AM